Happy Halloween!
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Marinette's P.O.V
It was early in the morning when someone knocked on my door. Rubbing my tired eyes, I groaned and sat up in bed. Without thinking, I said, "Enter."
The door opened with a squeak and in entered the maid that I helped at the party yesterday. A sudden realization dawned over me and panic coursed through my veins, fully waking me up. My eyes were drawn to the pillow on the other half of the bed to only see an indent in the white cushion where Tikki had slept.
A sigh of relief escaped my lips before turning my attention back to the maid.
"Good morning, madam," she greeted, politely and bowed in respect. I grimaced, getting out of bed in the process. Bowing was one of the many accustomed to the rich lifestyle I never grew comfortable with. It made me feel as if I was something to behold and worship. But, I wasn't. I was just like every other person in this world, human.
"Shall we get you ready to meet your fiancée?" the maid asked, standing near my closet.
"Of course," I answered, holding back a snarl. Even though I was furious at the moment, I did not need to take my anger out on the maid.
"Oh dear!" the woman suddenly gasped, making me jump. The maid noticed that she scared me before bowing and apologizing.
"Forgive me for my sudden outburst, Lady Dupain-Cheng. I just noticed that your makeup stand's mirror is severely cracked."
I looked over at the mirror before wincing at the memory of how the mirror became shattered in the first place. Subconsciously, I rub my fingers over the bandages of my injured hand, hiding it behind me. It seemed as though the maid noticed my quick movement but bit down on her tongue.
With a look of sympathy, the maid wordlessly walked towards me. My eyes widened a little and took an unsure step back, my legs hitting the side of my bed. Once the woman stood before me, she carefully pulled my bandaged hand out from behind me and flipped my hand over, palm facing upwards.
Her crystal blue eyes stared at it for about a minute before letting it go.
"I will tell no one of this. We can use some silky gloves to cover this up so no one notices," she said, looking up at me and smiling reassuringly, "Now, let us prepare you to meet your fiancée."
I was frozen on the spot, staring at the maid in disbelief. She seemed kind but I continued to keep my guard up. There were no trustworthy people in the wealthy life that I learned years ago. Everyone backstabs each other mercilessly until there is no longer a human being, just another puppet.
I obediently followed the maid in silence over to my closet to ready myself. Yet, I knew deep down that I would never be prepared for whatever would take place in my future.
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Adrien's P.O.V
"I am starving. Feed me," Plagg whined from the inside of my jacket. I rolled my eyes, handing my Kwami some Camembert cheese to shut him up. Plagg began to chow down on the stinky food before saying with a full mouth, "So, when are you going to train your new lady friend?"
"I am not going to train her nor do I even want to be her acquaintance," I answered back.
"Right," Plagg said, "She does not need your training when she is already a pro, probably better than you."
"Please, it was merely a beginner's luck. She will never be a superhero, let alone be able to beat me," I replied, rolling my eyes. Plagg did not respond after that as we entered Master Fu's quarters. Fu was sitting in the middle of the room on a mat in a meditating position. I huffed, walking into the room and stood a few feet away from the geezer, arms folded.
"You know," Fu started, opening his eyes and looking up at me, "it is very impolite to not knock before entering a room."
I rolled my eyes in annoyance, muttering, "Oh great, I am going to get lectured again but on how I have not been trained in being polite. Lucky me."
I let out a yelp when something hard collided into my leg. Fu had somehow got onto his feet, grabbed his cane and got close enough to hit me with it, managing to do so without me knowing. As I tended to my offended leg, Fu shook his head and slowly made his way over to the Guardian's Book of Knowledge. I glared at Fu but wasn't able to get a single word in when he began to speak.
"You have lost your way, child. It is time for you to forge a new path but it is up to you whether you want to step forward or continue to backward," Fu said, flipping through the pages of the ancient book.
"I am no child so treat me like a man. I can make my own decisions without you or anyone for that matter, old geezer," I snarled, stopping Fu from flipping through the book and glancing over his shoulder at me.
"I may be old but these weary eyes do not mistake the pettiness and foolishness of a child. I will treat you like a man when you start acting like one," Fu responded before continuing his search through the book. I growled in frustration when my master was suddenly standing in front of me and handing over a folding slip of paper.
"If you would be so generous and deliver this to Ladybug tonight without peeking, then I will begin to reevaluate my thoughts on your manliness," Fu joked, returning to his meditating mat.
"What is in it and why do I have to be the messenger boy?" I questioned, blandly.
"It is just some notes on the Ladybug miraculous and…a little of something else that is none of your concern. I want you preciously for she will be your partner whether you like it or not," he explained, sitting down and placing his walking stick off to the side.
I narrowed my eyes, "How do you assume that I will not let my curiosity consume me and peek at what is inside this letter?"
"Then, I am correct when I call you for what you are at the moment…a child," Fu said, slyly smirking, "If I know you well enough, I know you do not like being incorrect."
"Fine," I relented, placing the letter in my pocket, "I will do as you say just to prove you wrong and nothing else."
I walked out of the room and slammed the door shut behind me.
"Slamming the door. What childish behavior," Plagg joked before he started to cackle within my jacket.
"Shut your mouth or I will not give you any Camembert until patrol tonight," I hissed, taking the folded paper out of my pocket and stared at it, "How would he even know that she will come tonight?"
"He probably told Tikki to pass the message of a meeting," Plagg answered. I hummed in acknowledgment, stuffing the paper back into my pocket. I still did not like the thought of wasting my precious time meeting a fake when there are other more important things I should be doing.
Yet, Fu was right about one thing.
I truly despised being wrong.
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Marinette's P.O.V
"Introducing, the fiancé of Lady Dupain-Cheng and dashing Lord Luka Couffaine and his cousin and one of the pristine Ladies of the Court, Lila Rossi," one of the butlers introduced the company. I stood in between my parents and watched our company make a pre-usual grand entrance through the main doors.
In walked a man with a mixture of blues and greens for hair color and a soft smile adorned his face. He looked quite handsome but there was just one problem. The thing that he happens to be related too and, much to my annoyance, joined him in today's visit was what bothered me.
"Plus," I thought, glaring coldly at my supposed "betrothed" from behind my fan, "who knows how he will act."
"Welcome to out well-esteemed home Lady Rossi and Lord Couffaine," my mother welcomed the two with a curtsy, "I am truly grateful that you accepted this arrangement after the incident at the party. Which, I once again apologize for."
I let out a quiet groan of embarrassment, unbelieving that my mother just had to bring that up. This was going to be a very long visit if she keeps this up and if by chance, this Luka fellow is nothing but a hound.
"Holding a grudge is not the way of a true lady. I believe everyone deserves a second chance," Lila responded, fluttering her fan. My glare intensified, seeing straight through the wall of words that left her mouth and the plastic product of her skin.
Then, Luka bowed in respect before saying, "It is a true pleasure to be here, especially when my travels are worth it to meet such a beauty as your daughter."
Gentle blue orbs locked onto me and I let out a huff, looking away. I felt something big was placed on my shoulder and twisted my gaze towards my other side to spot my father. He gave me an encouraging and reassuring smile to which I only frowned. Unlike my mother, my father was a very kind man but always very busy. It was out of pure luck that he was able to make time to attend lunch with us.
"If it is not too much of a bother, might I have a word with Marinette while you show my dearest cousin around the house before we dine?" Lila asked my mother. My mother was slightly taken aback by this, planning to have lunch right when the two showed. I had a feeling that she was going to allow Lila's request anyway since she thinks-
"Why, of course!" my mother instantly agreed, "You both are friends, are you not. Go converse while we show Lord Luka around. If you do not mind that is, Luka?"
"My standards may not be very high but Lila is very incapable to even reach such standards of being my friend," I thought, biting down on my tongue to hold back my laughter.
"Not at all," Luka agreed, "I would love a tour of your ravishing home."
"Splendid!" my mother jollily spoke, gesturing for Luka to follow. Just as mother was passing by, she gave me a stern look before returning to her chirpiness. My father had left to get some work down before lunch began which left Lila and me.
I shut my fan and hooked it to my dress. After crossing my arms, I questioned, "What gibberish do you want to speak of this time, Lady Rossi?"
Lila smirked, hooking her fan to her dress and placing her hands on her hips.
"Now, that is no way to greet your guest," Lila joked before starting to circle me like the shark she is. I kept a close eye on her, carefully evaluating her every move.
"But, as your "friend," let me give you some advice," she spoke, slickly.
I tutted, asking, "Why would I want any advice from a fox?"
"Now, Mari. You do not want to pull a Rosemary. You do know that tale, right? So, listen very closely," Lila said, making her way towards me to which I began to walk backward. Her vile face grinned menacingly and a malicious gleam shimmered in her eyes.
"Be a proper lady and abandon all hope of freedom. You are better off knowing your place in this society by keeping your mouth shut until spoken too and raise the next generation to keep your reputation perfect," Lila threatened when my back suddenly met with a wall and cornering me.
The fox drew near enough to my face to the point I could feel her horrid breathing then she concluded "If you do not…well, you know where you will end up."
Finally, Lila backed away and began to head towards the dining room.
She paused before saying, "Oh, and one more thing. Congratulations on the engagement to my cousin."
Then, she was gone. I was left standing against the wall and breathed once again when realizing that I was holding my breath. I growled in frustration and hit the wall in anger.
"Marinette," a small voice whispered. I jumped a little before a red blur flew from out behind me. Tikki floated a few inches away from my face and scared my half to death.
"Sorry," she apologized, "I just wanted to tell you that you have to meet up with Chat Noir tonight at the Eiffel Tower around 8 o'clock for patrol."
"Alright, but you need to hide now Tikki. We do not need you to be spotted," I whispered, opening a secret pocket I made into the dress, "You can hide in here."
The red bug flew inside the pocket before I made my way to the upcoming dreadful meal.
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